GEC 53 Cuban

2

22Hornet

Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
170
I have been looking at these lately. Do they have single backspring or two?
Please share any input on these. Pictures, reviews, experience etc. would be appreciated.
I do not have a GEC yet but I read so many good threads about these knives and I am thinking
about getting one.

Thanks in advance,
22Hornet
 
Can you post a pic of the one you are looking at? They have made a few different knives on the 53/54 frame and different spring setups. Even without a pic I can just tell you to go ahead and pick one up. The 53/54 frame is great for EDC and I have been missing mine. The stockman version is just flat out a GREAT work knife, I have put one to work doing remodel work and I never had a single complaint.
 
It is the one with a large clip blade on one end and a small to medium pen blade on the other end.
I will see if I can get a photo posted.

22Hornet
 
Ah yes the T.K. Cuban. I am actually looking at getting one of those right now :thumbup:. It is a single spring knife that looks like a great work knife. If I pick one up I will be re-shaping the pen into a coping our wharncliffe blade.
 
22Hornet said:
It is the one with a large clip blade on one end and a small to medium pen blade on the other end.
I will see if I can get a photo posted.

22Hornet
Click to expand...

Ahh I think that's the #53TK. Single spring. Others will be along with better info. I will say that I carry a two spring #53 cattle knife quite a bit. It's great for EDC. GEC has built MANY configurations in the #53/#54 family. Here's my favorite.

GEC_Walden_53.jpg
 
I was handling those today....taking pictures. That is a very thin knife. Awesome. It is easy on the pocket! :)
 
The #53 Cuban pen is a single spring knife. The pen blade rides low enough that it is unnoticeable while using the main blade so it feels like a single blade knife in use. I've been carrying one now for a few weeks. Here's a couple comparison pics I took with some of GEC's other pens, the #33, #53, #68, and #89.


 
Thank you all! I like what I see.
How is the pull on these? Do they have half-stops?
What is the blade length on the clip and pen blades?

22Hornet
 
I don't have the #53 with me atm but the pull is a smooth 5 on the main blade (make sure to oil it to get the gunk out). The pen blade is a tougher 6-7 but I think that's because there's less leverage because the blade is shorter and the nail nick isn't as deep as on the clip. No half stops on the #53s (so far, #54s have half stops). IIRC, the blade length on the main is about or slightly over 3" tip to bolster, don't remember the pen blade though.
 
I have an ebony Tidioute and a Northfield in copperhead jig bone. The cam tangs on both are nice and snappy, with the pen blade being a stronger pull than the main on both, just like Trand stated above.

To me, it's like carrying a larger 68 White Owl.

Here are a few pics:











 
The 3 blade and 4 blade Cubans are not small knives. As Jeff (Rockgolfer) has pointed out (indirectly), the frame itself is big enough to be a real "worker" as opposed to a light duty EDC like my "66" Calf Roper. Regardless of the particular model - the GEC equal end cigar (53/54) is a trad folder you could count on. Its the same length as a large trapper at 4.125" and the rounded handles make it an easy knife to hold onto for extended periods of time.

I've had the exact same thought - get the single spring model and turn the pen into a coping blade. That would be a heck of a folder ... and very thin in the pocket. The "Cattle Rancher" is a bit too bulky for the front pocket but will ride nicely in your back pocket with a wallet or snot rag :D to hold it upright.

Tidioute Ebony Cattle Rancher

DSC01938.jpg DSC01937.jpg

Scott D
 
Thank you all for the info. I am thinking of one with stag or burnt stag. How thick and fat is the stag that GEC uses.

22Hornet
 
I am closer to buying one of the Cubans. Can anyone provide information or pictures showing how thick the stag or burnt stag covers
are on these knives? What are the blade lengths on this model?
 
I ordered one yesterday. The dealer said the clip blade was 3" and the pen 2".
The stag covers were not too thick and nicely matched. First GEC and I can hardly wait until it arrives.

22Hornet
 
Great pics BWPERDUE... in hand pictures go a long way.

I may have to buy one of those. Until your pics I didn't realize it was a single back spring on that model.


Not to derail this thread, but I'm wondering if any of the GEC muskrat patterns also have a single back spring?

.
 
I really like the 53/54 frame, and I predict you will too.
The only one I have so far is a 53 moose, which has a clip blade at either end and is a two-spring knife. Some day soon I'd like to try out a T.K.Cuban, since the thinner single spring build appeals more to me.
 
I received the knife today and I love it. Thin and easy in the pocket but stout enough for real work. No blade play great fit and finish.
The Burnt Stag is great. I am very pleased. I will see if my daughter can help me post some pictures later.
 
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